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Degradation of Prototype Pesticides Submitted to Conventional Water Treatment Conditions: The Influence of Major Parameters

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Abstract

The behavior of several pesticides in aqueous solution, namely bifenthrin, amethrin (pyrethroid insecticides), endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate (organochlorine pesticides), disulfoton, methyl pyrimiphos, and phorate (organophosphorus pesticides), submitted to the conditions typically employed in water treatment stations was investigated. Continuous pesticide depletion was monitored by solid-phase microextraction sampling followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The influence of major parameters (sodium hypochloride concentration, solution pH, and exposure time to ultraviolet (UV) light) was, thus, adequately established via two complementary approaches: factorial (23, three variables—two levels) and Doehlert designs. Hence, the sodium hypochloride concentration and the solution pH produced distinct effects depending on the pesticide evaluated (for instance, acidic and basic media caused increasing rates of degradation for the organophosphorus/pyrethroid and organochlorine pesticides, respectively). Conversely, higher rates of degradation were achieved for all of the pesticides investigated when increased exposure times to UV radiation were employed. Finally, the exposure time to UV radiation that lead to complete degradation of disulfoton and endosulfan sulfate (organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides, respectively) in aqueous media under ordinary conditions employed in water treatment stations was established; disulfoton and endosulfan sulfate were completely degraded after 10 and 40 h, respectively.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, ICEx, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Amauri G. Souza, Letícia M. Costa, Rodinei Augusti & Zenilda L. Cardeal

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  1. Amauri G. Souza
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  2. Letícia M. Costa
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  3. Rodinei Augusti
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  4. Zenilda L. Cardeal
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Correspondence to Zenilda L. Cardeal.

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Souza, A.G., Costa, L.M., Augusti, R. et al. Degradation of Prototype Pesticides Submitted to Conventional Water Treatment Conditions: The Influence of Major Parameters. Water Air Soil Pollut 211, 427–434 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0311-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0311-6

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